Switch



May 16, 1939. c. l. ERICKSON SWITCH Filed July 1, 1937 2 s-Sheet 1 W/ \LN J wig May 16, 1939.

c. l. ERICKSON 2,158,930

SWITCH Filed July 1, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 flag :7.

4 ML I 50/ 4) Supply Patented May 16, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to switches and more particularly to switches for controlling electrical signalling systems.

In the operation of motor vehicles it has been proposed that lights on the vehicle be caused to blink when the operator intends to change the direction of the vehicle or its speed for the purpose of more readily attracting the attention 'of the operators of following vehicles. It is also proposed that this signalling be accomplished by the regular lighting system of the motor vehicle. One system of this type is disclosed in my pending application Serial No. 142,250 filed May 12,

One object of this invention is to provide an improved operating switch for use in a signalling system of the class described. Another object of this invention is to provide a control switch of the rotary type. Another object of the invention is to provide a switch which is readily adapted to production methods. Other objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a switch incorporating features of the present invention with the top cover removed; Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic illustration showing the application of the switch to a system of the kind herein contemplated; and Figure 5 is an enlarged view of one of the fixed contacts.

In a system of the type herein contemplated a motor vehicle is provided with the usual front and rear driving and parking lights. The parking lights are controlled by a manual switch generally on the dash and the driving lights are similarly controlled. It is more or less common practice at the present time to provide the driving lights with a so-called bright or dim control. This control may be accomplished by a system of I) bright and dim filaments so that the dim lights provide a reduced amount of illumination in comparison with the bright lights, or the lights may be provided with a plurality of bright filaments some of which are focused to project the light rays nearly parallel with the road surface to give illumination for relatively high-speed driving and the other filament being focused to project the light rays onto the road surface at a point relatively close to the vehicle so as to prevent any glare in the eyes of oncoming vehicle operators. Other methods of solving these difiiculties have also been proposed.

The common expedient is to provide a floor switch which may be actuated by the foot of the vehicle operator to change from the so-called bright illumination to the so-called dim illumination. In the system herein contemplated switches are provided for inserting a so-called flasher in series with the right or left front and rear lights so that they will blink to provide both oncoming and following vehicles with an indication that the vehicle is about to make a turn. When the vehicle is turning to the right, the right front and rear lights are flashed or blinked, and when the vehicle is turning to the left the left front and rear lights are blinked.

In normal operation it is the dim lights which are flashed. However, if one of the dim lights is burnt out switches are provided so that the bright lights may be placed in series with the flasher so that the signal indication may then be accomplished by the use of the bright lights. It will be readily appreciated however that it is preferable to accomplish the signalling by the dim lights.

In Figure 4, the use of the present improved switch construction is illustrated as applied to a system of the type described. In this figure so much of the circuits are shown and numbered as in my prior patent application and similar numerals are used so that its application to the system will be easily ascertained.

The switch comprises a housing composed of substantially cylindrical complementary portions in and II interiorly of which are secured a plurality of relatively fixed contacts l2 which are connected to the various circuits of the system. A rotary contact member I 3 is pivotally mounted at M within the housing and is manually operated by means of the lever arm l5. This arm projects through a slotted operating opening IS in the housing. The lever is normally latched in middle position by the releasable latching means H. The contact member 13 is allowed a limited rotary movement to either side of its central or normal position as viewed in Figure 1, this move ment being limited by the left and right side walls 18 and I9 of the slot. The lever I5 is moved to either left or right to signal that a turn is about to be made. The side walls act as limit stops and at the same time effect a definite connection or disconnection of the switch contacts.

The switch comprises a series of contacts disposed in spaced relation about the pivot 14 as a center, contacts being arranged on opposite sides of the median line MM in Figure 4. The contacts on each side of the median line comprise a group of three contacts 37, 21, 38 on the left of the median line and 34, 25, 33 respectively on the right hand side of the median line. Yet further on each side of the median line isa group of two contacts which latter group is spaced from the three-contact group. The left hand group comprises the contacts 35 and 26'L and the right hand group comprises the contacts 36 and ZER. The rotary contact member includes a plurality of blades or circuit closers, being shown as four in number. One blade of which on each side of said median line is adapted to close the normally open group of contacts upon rotation of the contact member. These blades are ML and 26B. The other two blades of this group, one on each side, are 27 and 25 respectively. The blade 2? normally closes the group of three contacts Bl, 2i and 3t and opens one of said groups upon movement of the rotary member to close the two-contact group on either side when the rotary member is shifted to the left so that the blade EtL completes the circuit between the contacts 35 and ZSL. The blade 27 retains the contacts 3'3 and 2? in circuit but breaks the connection to the contact 38. When the rotary member is shifted to the right from normal position the contacts 35 and 26'L remain disconnected from the system and the contacts 26' and 38 remain in circuit with the blade disconnected from the contact 37. The operation of the blades is similar for contacts on the right hand side of the median line.

In normal operation when signalling is not desired the switch remains in the position as shown in Figure 1 with the blade 2i completing circuits between the three contacts 31, El, 38 and the blade 25 completing circuit between the contacts 33, 225, 3 5. The groups of double contacts on either side of the median line remain disconnected. In such a position power is supplied to the signalling system from the vehicle battery coming through a floor switch (for changing from bright to dim) from the lead to a fixed contact 27' which latter is one of the three group contacts on the left hand side of the switch. Power is transferred from this contact to the movable contact 2'! and thence through the contact 38 to a lead Qt going to the left hand bright lights of the motor vehicle, the left hand lights comprising both front and rear lights. Power is also carried through the blade 2'! to the contact 31! from which point it flows through a conductor W to the right hand bright lights of the vehicle. At the same time power is supplied from the source of power through the fioor switch by the circuit 88 going to the fixed contact 25. Power from this lead may flow through the fixed contact to the movable contact 25 and from it through the fixed contact 34 and circuit 99 to the dim lights on the left hand side of the vehicle. Current also flows from the movable blade 25 through fixed contact 33 and the circuit N10 to th right hand dim lights of the vehicle. It will thus be appreciated that with the rotary switch in its mid position the operator of the vehicle may have either the bright lights or the dim lights on both the right and left hand sides of the vehicle in operation.

With the switch in the mid or median position the contacts 35 and 35 are connected in the circuit. To accomplish the flashing or blinking of the lights an appropriate set of circuits and switches connects the source of power, the vehicle battery, to the flasher, which is an element capable of intermittently making and breaking the circuit, and from the flasher by way of conductors 9E], fiilL and 951R respectively to the fixed contacts FfiL and ZBR respectively.

When it is desired to turn to the left and to give a visual indication by the blinking of the front and rear lights on the left hand side of the vehicle the lever arm I?) is moved to the left and is stopped against the abutment 23 completing a circuit between the fixed contact 25'L, and the fixed contact 35, the latter of which is connected to the dim filaments on the left hand side of the vehicle by means of the circuit NH. The system contemplates a manual switch which may shift the circuit Nil from the dim filaments to the right filaments if the dim filaments have been burnt out so that the operator may manually connect the bright filaments for the signal. It is naturally preferred that the dim filaments be used so that they will not be too bright for the oncoming vehicle operator. Similarly when it is desired to turn to the right the lever I5 is moved to the right until it stops against the abutment fill at which time the circuit between contact 26R and 36 are completed through the movable blade 263, the circuit going to the right hand dim lights by way of the conductor Hi6. It is equally true that this conductor may be connected to the bright lights by the manual operation of the necessary switches.

The blades and contacts are so arranged that circuits from fixed contacts 33 and 37 will be broken by the movable blades 25 and 2'! respectively before the circuit is made between the blade 26R and the fixed contact 36. Similarly circuits between the movable blades and the fixed contacts 3 1 and 38 respectively will break before a contact is made between the movable blade and the fixed contact 35.

Considering the operation of a switch it will now be appreciated that the lever l5 normally remains in its mid position and when the vehicle operator wishes to turn to the left he swings the lever in left-hand or clockwise direction. This places the left-hand dim lights of the vehicle in series with the flasher as a result of the closing of the circuit at contacts 35 and ZS'L. At the same time the blade 21 in its rotation breaks the circuit 96 going to the bright lights on the lefthand side of the vehicle. The right hand blade 25 disconnects the normal circuit to the left hand dim lights coming through the fixed contact 34 so that the dim lights are disconnected. from the normal circuit and. placed in series with the flasher. When the vehicle is turned to the right a similar operation takes place but with the opposite set of circuits. In this case the dim lights on the right hand side of the vehicle are connected by the circuit l 86 in series with the flasher by Way of the blade 26R. and the fixed contacts 36 and ZER. In this way the right hand dim lights are disconnected from normal operation when the rotating blade 25 breaks connection with the fixed contact 33 and the right hand bright lights are disconnected when the moving blade 2'! breaks the connection with the fixed contact 31.

The switch housing comprising the two cup shaped insulating members it and H are preferably circular in shape although other shapes may be utilized. The lower half ii of the housing is molded with the latching means ll. This latter comprises a small metallic cylindrical member 40 containing a spring 4i and positioned at the lower face of the movable contact member.

:53 and-54.

opened end is a small ball 42. The ball is limited in its outward movement by the annular shoulder 48 of the metal cylinder and in its extreme outward position it is received within a small pocket 44 in the metal inset 45 which is carried on the The lever arm I5 is molded with a reinforcing member 46 which latter assists in preserving the original shape of the parts and prevents accidental breaking of the lever arm. The contact blades of the reinforcements 46 are preferably molded into the insulating material of the rotary member at one and the same time. The blades are each provided with a small hole 41 which allows the insulating material to securely retain the blades so that they cannot work loose.

It is highly desirable that a switch of this type be relatively free and easy in operation and to accomplish this a roller bearing mounting is provided about the pivot I4. The metallic bushing 50 is molded in the bottom part of the casing I l and a concentric metal insert 5| is molded in the cylindrical extension 52 of the top member. Roller bearings 53 and 54 are secured in the rotary contact member and an appropriate spindle 55 fastens the two parts of the housing together and simultaneously provides the axle for the bearings The top member of the switch is provided with an opening 56 through which enter the various wires going to the fixed contacts inside the housing. One of these fixed contacts is shown in greater detail in Figure 5 wherein the bolt 66 is provided for securing the wires to the terminal and another bolt BI is provided to secure the contact to the housing. Centrally of the contact member are the spring blades 62 and 63 of the contact itself. The moving blades While rotating about the pivot l4 engage the various contact blades 62 and 63 respectively of the approprite contacts so as to complete the proper circuits.

The lever I5 is preferably constructed with a depth or thickness substantially the same as that of the switch carrying part of the rotary member itself. The rotary member is also provided with a surface 65 which is concentric with the pivot and which has a frictional engagement with the surface 66 of the abutments. In this way the movement of the lever arm does not open the interior of the switch with its consequent annoyance of dirt or foreign material to get in between the various parts to damage the bearings as well as the contact surface. Annular flanges 61 and 68 respectively are also provided on both the bottom and top members of the housing to seal them against foreign matter and also to retain the bearings in aligning position.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been described variations coming within the true spirit and scope of this invention are aimed to be covered in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A switch for use in connection with the right and left bright light circuits, the right and left dimming circuits and the flasher circuit of an electrical signaling system for automotive vehicles, said switch comprising two spaced sets of three spaced contacts, one set for interposition in the bright light circuits and the other for interposition in the dimming circuits, two spaced pairs of spaced contacts, one of the contacts of each pair for interposition in a dimming circuit, the other contacts of said pairs for interposition in the flasher circuit, the contacts of said sets and pairs being disposed in a row corresponding to a segment of a circle, a normally latched oppositely rotatable non-conducting member ar ranged inwardly of and spaced from the several contacts, a set of four spaced blades secured to, bodily carried with and extending laterally from said member, two of the blades of said set of blades being of like Width and of greater width than the other of said blades, the other of the said blades being of like width, said blades being disposed on said member to provide, when the latter is latched, for each blade of greater width bridging the contacts of a set and for each of the other blades engaging a contact of a pair, a lever arm for re" "'ng said member in opposite directions, and means for limiting the extent of the rotating movement of said member in opposite directions to provide for each widest blade bridging two of the contacts of a set, another one of said blades bridging the contacts of a pair and the other one of said blades clearing the contacts of the other pair of contacts.

A switch for use in connection with the right and left bright light circuits, the right and left dimming circuits and the flasher circuit of an electrical signaling system for automotive vehicles, said switch comprising two spaced sets of three spaced contacts, one set for interposition in the bright light circuits and the other for interposition in the dimming circuits, two spaced pairs of spaced contacts, one of the contacts of each pair for interposition in a dimming circuit, the other contacts of said pairs for interposition in the flasher circuit, the contacts of said sets and pairs being disposed in a row corresponding to a segment of a circle, a normally latched oppositely rotatable non-conducting member arranged inwardly of and spaced from the several contacts, a set of four spaced blades secured to, bodily carried with and extending laterally from said memher, two of the blades of said set of blades being of like width and of greater width than the other of said blades, the other of the said blades being of like width, said blades being disposed on said member to provide, when the latter is latched, for each blade of greater width bridging the contacts of a set and for each of the other blades engaging a contact of a pair, a lever arm for rotating said member in opposite directions, means for limiting the extent of the rotating movement of said member in opposite directions to provide for each widest blade bridging two of the contacts of a set, another one of said blades bridging the contacts of a pair and the other one of said blades clearing the contacts of the other pair of contacts, a housing for said contacts and member, said lever being extended from the housing, and said housing and lever having coacting means for latching said member in normal position.

3. In a switch for use in connection with the right and left bright light circuits, the right and left dimming circuits and the flasher circuit of an electrical signaling system for automobiles, said switch comprising a housing provided with an opening for the extension therein of circuit conductors, two spaced sets of three spaced contacts, two spaced pairs of spaced contacts spaced from said sets, all of said contacts being vertically disposed, positioned within and secured to the housing and adapted for connection to said conductors, said contacts being of like form and each provided, intermediate its ends with a pair of superposed spaced resilient blades, a shaft within and fixed to the housing, an oppositely movable normally latched non-conducting member revoluble about said shaft and spaced from said blades, a set of four spaced circuit closers imbedded in and extending laterally from said memher, one of said closers for coaction simultaneously with the pairs of blades of all of the contacts of one set of contacts when said member is latched and for selective coaction with the pairs of blades of two of the contacts of such set when said membar is shifted in one direction, another of said closers for coaction simultaneously with the pairs of blades of all of the contacts of the other set of contacts when said member is latched and for selective coaction with the pairs of blades of two of the contacts of such set when said member is shifted in a like direction, another of the closers for coaction with the blades of one contact of a pair when said member is latched and for coaction with the contacts of such pair when said member is shifted in a like direction and the other of said closers for coaction with the blades of one of the contacts of the other pair of contacts when said member is latched and for clearing both of the contacts of such pair when said member is shifted in a like direction, said housing being formed with a slot, a lever arm fixed to said member and extending outwardly through said slot, and the end walls of the latter providing means for limiting the extent of said member in opposite directions.

4. In a switch for use in connection with the right and left bright light circuits, the right and left dimming circuits and the flasher circuit of an electrical signaling system for automobiles, said switch comprising a housing provided with an opening for the extension therein of circuit conductors, two spaced sets of three spaced contacts, two spaced pairs of spaced contacts spaced from said sets, all of said contacts being vertically disposed, positioned within and secured to the housing and adapted for connection to said conductors, said contacts being of light form and each provided, intermediate its ends with a pair of superposed spaced resilient blades, a shaft within and fixed to the housing, an oppositely movable normally latched non-conducting member revoluble about said shaft and spaced from said baldes, a set of four spaced circuit closers imbedded in and extending laterally from said member, one of said closers for coaction simultaneously with the pairs of blades of all of the contacts of one set of contacts when said member is latched and for selective coaction with the pairs of blades of two of the contacts of such set when said member is shifted in one direction, another of said closers for coaction simultaneously with the pairs of blades of all of the contacts of the other set of contacts when said member is latched and for selective 00- action with the pairs of blades of two of the contacts of such set when said member is shifted in a like direction, another of the closers for coaction with the blades of one contact of a pair when said member is latched and for coaction with the contacts of such pair when said member is shifted in a like direction and the other of said closers for coaction with the blades of one of the contacts of the other pair of contacts when said member is latched and for clearing both of the contacts of such pair when said member is shifted in a like direction, said housing being formed with a slot, a lever arm fixed to said member and extending outwardly through said slot, a lever arm fixed to said member and extending outwardly through said slot, and the end walls of the latter providing means for limiting the extent of said member in opposite directions, and said housing and lever having coacting parts for latching said member in normal position.

' CARL I. ERICKSON. 

